Dual-Radius Drone Reel for Controlled Payload Descent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drone delivery systems face challenges in safely and rapidly lowering payloads, especially in populated areas, due to the impact of wind and the risk of injury or damage from slow or uncontrolled descent.
Innovation Solution
An aerial drone reel device with a reel body featuring two winding segments of different lever distances, allowing for rapid and controlled descent by varying torque, and an optional braking mechanism to slow down the tether near the ground, ensuring a fail-safe and efficient delivery process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the payload is lowered quickly from high altitude, then delivery speed is improved and wind interference is reduced, but safety risk increases for people and packages near the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The reel body is divided into two distinct winding segments with different winding radii. The first winding segment has a larger radius for rapid tether release during the initial descent phase, while the second winding segment has a smaller radius for controlled slowing during the final approach phase. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high delivery speed and ground safety without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If a drum and brake system is used to control tether release, then package delivery control is improved, but system complexity increases and control becomes sluggish
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-segment reel body automatically transitions between different tether release rates based on the reel's rotational state and tether tension. The system self-regulates the descent speed without requiring external brake control systems. The transition from fast release (first segment) to slow release (second segment) occurs naturally as the tether unwinds, providing intuitive and responsive control while minimizing system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the tether is released slowly using a controllable brake, then safety for people and packages is improved, but delivery time increases and wind interference worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The tether release process occurs in two distinct periodic phases corresponding to the two winding segments. During the first phase, the tether is released rapidly from the larger-radius segment to cover the majority of the descent distance quickly. During the second phase, the tether transitions to the smaller-radius segment for controlled slowing near the ground. This periodic action pattern optimizes both speed and safety at different stages of the delivery process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables a step-profile descent, initially fast and then slowing down, enhancing safety and delivery speed while minimizing wind interference and risk of damage, providing a more reliable and efficient method for drone-based payload delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a first winding segment providing a first winding lever distance to a rotational axis, a second winding segment providing a second winding lever distance to the rotational axis... wherein the first winding lever distance is larger than the second winding lever distance
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial drone reel device (100) comprising an aerial drone fixating portion (110), a reel body (120) arranged along a rotational axis (AA), wherein said reel body (120) is rotatably attached to said aerial drone fixating portion (110). The reel body (120) comprises a first winding segment (122) for providing a first winding lever distance (L1) to said rotational axis (AA), a second winding segment (124) providing a second winding lever distance (L2) to said rotational axis (AA). Moreover, the first and second winding segment (122, 124) is adapted to wind a tether (130) at said first and second winding lever distance respectively, and wherein said first winding lever distance (L1) is larger than said second winding lever distance (L2). Further, a method for lowering a payload is herein disclosed.